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[0202] Hear me out

🎲 Pick up what someone is putting down
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A plea for someone to listen to your complete explanation, argument, or idea before interrupting or judging.
  • Used when you anticipate skepticism, disagreement, or impatience from the listener.

Origin

  • Imperative phrase using the phrasal verb hear out, which means to listen until someone has finished speaking.
  • Emphasizes the need for a full hearing.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Let me finish.
  • Just listen for a second.
  • Give me a chance to explain.
  • Don't interrupt. (More direct command)
  • Bear with me. (Asks for patience while explaining)
  • Indulge me. (Slightly more formal/archaic request for patience)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Hold up, let me cook. (Recent internet/AAVE slang: allow me time to develop/explain my idea) -> Origin: Compares formulating a thought/plan to cooking something up, popularized online around 2021-2023.
  • Gimme a sec. / Just a minute. (Asking for time)
  • Let me break it down. (Slang: let me explain simply)

Vulgar/Emphatic (Expressing frustration at being interrupted/disbelieved):

  • Just shut the fuck up and let me explain!
  • Will you let me fucking finish?!

Milder/More Formal:

  • If I might just elaborate...
  • Allow me to present my reasoning.
  • Please reserve judgment until you've heard the whole explanation.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Common in debates, arguments, brainstorming, or when proposing something unusual.
  • Can sound slightly defensive if used too often or aggressively.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Generally clear in its function.
  • Learners should understand it signals that the speaker expects potential disagreement and wants uninterrupted time to explain.

Examples

  • I know this sounds completely crazy, but just hear me out.
  • Wait, before you get angry, hear me out. There's a reason.
  • Hear me out – what if we approached the problem from this angle instead?

Dialogue

Sam: We should quit our jobs and open a llama farm!

Tina: Are you insane? That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard!

Sam: Whoa, okay, just hear me out! I've actually run the numbers...

Tina: (Sighs deeply) Fine. Hear me out. Let's hear this 'plan'.

Social Media Examples

  • Start of a Twitter thread: Controversial take: [Statement]. Hear me out though, there's logic here... 🧵 #Debate #HearMeOut
  • YouTube video title: Why [Unpopular Movie] Is Actually Genius (Hear Me Out!)
  • Comment: Everyone hating on the new update, but hear me out, I think the changes have potential...

Response Patterns

  • Okay, fine. I'm listening.
  • Alright, go on then.
  • I'll hear you out, but I'm skeptical.
  • (Reluctantly) Okay... what is it?
  • (Impatiently) Fine, but make it quick.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After the listener agrees (Okay, go on):

  • The speaker presents their full point, argument, or idea.
  • The listener typically holds their objections or questions until the speaker finishes (or is supposed to).

Action:

  • Speaker explains; listener listens (often critically).

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • Used when introducing a potentially controversial point or complex explanation mid-conversation.

Intonation

  • Often spoken with earnestness, sometimes urgency or pleading.
  • Strong stress on both Hear and out.
  • HEAR me OUT.

Generation Differences

  • Used commonly across most adult generations.

Regional Variations

  • Standard across major English-speaking regions.
I'm listening
🎲 Pick up what someone is putting down